A Palestinian teenager charged after a viral video showed her hitting two Israeli soldiers went on trial in military court on Tuesday in closed-door proceedings.
The judge in the trial ordered journalists removed from the courtroom, ruling that open proceedings would not be in the interest of 17-year-old Ahed Tamimi, who is being tried as a minor. Only family members were allowed to remain in the courtroom, with diplomats present to observe also asked to leave.
Lawyer’s remarks
Ms. Tamimi’s lawyer said previous hearings for the teenager were open and she had argued for it to remain that way. “They understand that people outside Ofer military court are interested in Ahed’s case, they understand that her rights are being infringed and her trial is something that shouldn’t be happening,” Ms. Tamimi’s lawyer Gaby Lasky told journalists.
“So the way to keep it out of everybody’s eyes is to close doors and not allow people inside the court for her hearing.”
Ms. Tamimi arrived at the military court in West Bank dressed in a prison jacket with her hands and feet shackled, smiling slightly.
She has been charged with 12 counts, including assault, and could face a lengthy jail term if convicted. The charges relate to events in the video and five other incidents. They include stone-throwing, incitement and making threats.
Ahed Tamimi’s family says the December 15 incident that led to the arrests occurred in the yard of their home in Nabi Saleh, near Ramallah in the West Bank.
The Israeli military said the soldiers were in the area to prevent Palestinians from throwing stones at Israeli motorists.
